49 Compromises

"I'm here too, aren't I?"

"Y-y-you…"Ara stammered as she blinked her eyes at him, her mouth gaping and closing several times as she tried to speak.

"What?" the Koutaishidenka asked, nonchalantly, as if nothing happened as he straightened on his seat and took a sip from his glass.

"Why would you suddenly kiss someone? I was not prepared," Ara mumbled to herself, but it was still audible to Ryuu whose lips twitched in amusement again.

"Oh, should I tell you beforehand next time then?"

"No, that's not what I meant," Ara grumbled with a pout.

She took a swig on her glass and finished its contents to the last drop. She was about to take a refill when Ryuu took the bottle and placed it far from her.

"Heeeey," she complained childishly as she tried to take the bottle back, but couldn't even touch it as she was too slow with drunkenness.

"No more wine for you," Ryuu admonished softly as he handed her a can of juice from the table, and she had no choice but take it albeit grudgingly.

"There are more people you know," he said softly afterwards, and when she looked at him questioningly, he elaborated. "More people that care about you. You just need to look carefully."

With this, Ara looked pensive, and then she nodded her head. But because she's drunk her movements were exaggerated like she was banging her head. "True," she agreed, and her mood seemed to brighten up.

Ryuu knew she thought about the other girls who had been vocal on defending her to the others. Since the day they realized their mistake, the one they had sent to investigate on her first day of school was from Fuuma. Never again would the Homura House become lax when it came to the future lady of the House.

Because of her terrible reputation at school, he had been worried about her getting bullied. But, it seemed that not all students at her school were so stupid, as proven by Ara's other friends, Rin and Miharu. Surprisingly, the girl, Ichihara Midori, whom the rumors said was supposed to be Ara's love rival seemed to know the truth as well and was now on her side.

"But how did you know that?"Ara asked him with a frown. "Are you having me monitored?"

"Not really," the Koutaishidenka answered swiftly, an innocent look on his face.

He watched as the crease on Ara's forehead returned as if she was unhappy. She totally looked like a sulking child now. "What do you mean?"

Ah, the drunken mood swings commenced!

Kazehaya was right on this one, Ryuu thought. He had wanted Ara monitored 24/7 for her safety, but Gin said it would not be good. It would make it appear as if Ryuu was a controlling and overbearing boyfriend, and most girls disliked men who were like that.

It's a good thing that Ara was drunk too. In vino veritas, they said. In wine, there's truth – not that she would lie to him. But she would at least tone down her reaction, unlike this outward, honest displeasure she was showing him right now.

"Hey, hey, what do you mean?"Ara asked again, this time, with her hands pulling on his clothes crumpling the expensive material.

The Koutaishidenka never had anyone do that to him so he had no idea how to react. He, however, thought that humans must be like cats, they liked to put their paws on others when they demanded something. This particular kitten wanted answers.

"I just had someone ask around and stand by on your first day at school in case you get bullied," Ryuu answered softly and watched as Ara's scowl vanished, replaced by a look of surprise, and wonder.

"What? You dislike it?" he prompted.

He had already compromised enough by not having someone guard her all the time. He wouldn't know what to make of it if she was still upset with him checking up on her from time to time.

Fortunately, Ara shook her head.

"You're okay with it?"Ryuu wanted to make sure.

"Not really," Ara answered honestly, and then, she smiled. "But I guess as compromise goes, it's the best you can allow. After all, you belong to a prestigious family. It wouldn't be strange if you want to check up on me considering we… we…"

"We?" the Koutaishidenka prompted, and the pout returned on her face.

"Why are you asking me? You already know," she answered grumpily, her already red face becoming a couple of more shades darker.

"Well, at least you are aware that you belong to me. But that freedom has a price, you know."

"I actually belong to myself. But you are allowed to borrow "me" since we're engaged," she retorted cheekily, amusing the prince more. "What price?"

"I won't have you monitored all the time, but you have to promise me that you will take care and that you will not hesitate to call me if something happens – and that I can call you from time to time too."

Ara looked thoughtful for a while. "Okay," she agreed and smiled drunkenly at him.

Ryuu took this an opportunity to make her give her number "willingly". In reality, he already had her number a long time ago. But at least this way he could call her without making her wonder. It's also the safest with her as this little kitten seemed to have other ideas about her own will, and wasn't in the least intimidated by him.

"Where's your phone?" he asked, and when she pointed at her schoolbag, he automatically took it and handed it to her.

She clumsily fumbled inside her bag and retrieved her mobile phone and handed it to him. The Koutaishidenka easily entered his number in it, and with a mischievous glint in his eyes, he put "My Darling Prince" as his name there.

Ara who was studying him suddenly looked suspicious, so when he handed the phone back, she immediately checked it and was perplexed. "Why My Darling Prince?"

"Why not? Am I not the pretty boy archer prince? Am I not your darling?" the Koutaishidenka countered with a seriously seductive face, and Ara's heart nearly jumped out of her chest.

If Kazehaya were here at this very moment, Ryuu was sure he would be proud of him. His EQ hadn't failed yet today.

"Y-you…"

Ryuu watched as she puffed her cheeks as if trying to calm herself down. Afterwards, she extended her hand to him.

"Give me your phone," she demanded like an incensed kitten, and so he handed his own mobile phone to her.

He watched as she quickly opened his contacts and entered her own number there. She looked so serious that the Koutaishidenka was sure she was up to no good, and he was right.

Ara returned his phone to him with a triumphant grin. Curiously, he checked his contacts and nearly laughed out loud for the first time in history upon seeing the entry.

My Pretty Darling Princess